Day 6 of the CMSCG 12 Days of Compliance series is about an area gaining more focus with time, and 2026 should be more of the same. Behavioral health and trauma‑informed care remain priority areas for surveyors – with increasing focus as the typical nursing home population shifts. January is the right time to review training, evaluate competencies, and ensure staff are confident in supporting residents with behavioral health needs.
Key actions include:
- Reviewing resident histories for trauma‑related triggers
- Ensuring staff understand trauma‑informed care principles
- Updating behavioral health training based on current resident population
- Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and care approaches
Facilities that demonstrate a thoughtful, individualized approach to behavioral health are better positioned for survey success. In many facilities, staff would benefit from additional education related to behavioral health, including individualized care planning for residents with behavioral health needs. Challenging behaviors require more time and thought from the team – including identifying potential links to underlying trauma, prior lifestyles/ habits which may be contributing factors and any other nugget of information that can help the team provide the highest quality care.
New Year Compliance Check:
Have you updated your trauma‑informed care training for 2026? Does it address the types of resident needs for the individuals living in your facility?
Our consultants can help you evaluate behavioral health systems and strengthen trauma‑informed care practices. Learn more about CMS Compliance Group’s consulting services for post-acute and long-term care providers.
